Universally-mounted searchlight



Dec. 19, 1922.

E. A'. SPERRY.

UNIVERSALLY MOUNTED SEARCHLIGHT.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

FILED APR-19.15MB.

WM m8 ll-l A TTOR/VW Dec. 19, 1922. 1,439,028. E. A. SPER R YUNIVERSALLY MOUNTED SEARCHLIGHT.

FILED APR. I9. 1918. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

k IV TOR A TTUR/VE nane- A. SFEIREY, F BRUQMJYFB', Fm? roan.

UFHEVEESALlbY-MOUHTED SEARCEMGHT.

, Application filled nnril it, 1918. Serial Ito. $329,436.

'15 and the object of this invention is to overcome these defects. V

In following an aircraft at night it is highly essential that theSearchlight be moved quickly and easily so that the beam 26 may be keptsteadily on the rapidly moving aeroplane. At the same time it is equallyessential that the operator who directs the beam be located at adistance from the searchlight, since, as is now well known, an objectcannot be seen clearly from a point adjacent the'searchlight owing totherefiection of dust or moisture in the air. To accomplish these purposesit has been proposed to locate the observer at a distance from theSearchlight and to operate the Searchlight by signals sent from theobserver to asearchlight operator,-but such a system has been found tooslow for aeroplane work; I am also aware that complicated electric,distance controls, so called, have been proposed, but such controls aretoo costly and complicated for trench warfare, where the life of aSearchlight averages probably not more than a week, and where the roughusage renders to complications highly objectionable.

Referring to the drawings which disclose the preferred form of theinvention:. 7

Fig. 1 is a plan view in more or less diagrammatic form of a Searchlightplaced on the ground in the manner proposed in my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section through the ground showing the mounted searchlightand controls in separate holes in the ground.

to Fig. 2 is a detail in section showing the support for one end of acontrolling rod.

Fig. 3 is a corresponding View or a modified form of the Searchlight.

, Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the Searchlight 56 showing thesupporting plates used in Fig. 3. Fig.- 5 is a corresponding viewshowing the form of supporting plates preferably used in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 shows a slightly modified form of angle plate or support whichhas been reinto forced by a bracket.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the shown in F ig.,2.

Fig. .8 is another modified form of mechanism for operating aSearchlight, and

Fig. 9 is a detached detail of thismodification showing the bail andcoacting parts.

The searchlight proper 1 is shown as pivotally supported upon ahorizontal axis 2-2 within a gimbal ring 3. Said ring in re turn ispivotally supported on horizontal pivots %4 in supporting plates 5-6.Preferably the two axes of support of the searchlight are perpendicular.

lhe Searchlight, it will be noted, instead gearing of normally assuminga horizontal position,

or in other words, instead of normally projccting a horizontal beam isadapted o be pointed vertically upward; the direction of the beam inazimuth being controlled enso tirely by the oscillation of the lightabout either or both ct the horizontal pivots instead of about avertical axis as is usually the case. Each plate 5-6 is preferablyconstructed of angle iron with a suiiiciently as broad flat base 7 torest upon any character of earth or mud usually encountered in thebattlefield. The bearings 8 and 9 for the pivots H are preferably ofsuilici ent length to maintain the plates in proper alignment on and toprevent binding. Underneath the Searchlight a hole 10 is preferablyprovided in which the operator may stand without exposing himself toshell-fire. The light may be surrounded by a circle of sand bags l". orthe like, if desired (see Fig. 3). The light is normally operated fromdistant holes 1213 which may be connected with'thc central hole 10 andwith each other by means of passage ways 14 15, so that the operator maypass from one hole to the other without being observed or exposinghimself. In each of the holes 1213 1s provided mechanism for controllingthe Searchlight beam. These holes may be spaced as much as ten or 05twenty feet from the searchlight and one or more control rods 16 and 17extend from said holes to the Searchlight. Both rods are shown asjournaled in an.angle plate 18 supported adjacent the edge of hole 12and no extend from this plate to the searchlight. Both rods arepreferably provided with unilid versal joints 19 and 20. A shaft 21journaled in the bracket 6 is connected to rod 16 through said joint 19and is also provided at its opposite end with a universal connection 22linking said shaft to a similar rod 16 extending in substantially theopposite direction. The rotary movement of said shaft is transmitted tothe gimbal 3 by means of any suitable gearing such as a chain 23connected to sprocket pinion 24 on said shaft and to a larger sprocketwheel 25 on the sh aft 4 supporting the gimbal. it will be readilyapparent when either shaft 16 or 16 is turned that the searchlight willbe oscillated about pivots 4-4. Rod 17 18 shown as connected to a secondshaft 26 journaled in a bracket 27 through said universal joint 20.Bracket 27 is mounted upon or forms a part of the gimbal ring so that itpartakes of the motions of said ring. Shaft 26 may be connected by meansof similar universal joint 28, to a similar rod 17 extending in anopposite direction from rod 17 and in substantially the same directionas the rod 16'.- The rotation of shaft 26 may be transmitted to theSearchlight by means of bevel pinions 29 and 30 mounted respectively onsaid shaft and on a second shaft 31 journaled in said bracket 27. Theshaft 31 is shown as provided with a worm 32 which meshes with a wormwheel sector 33 secured to the trunnion arm 34 of the searchlight (Fig.7). It will be readily apparent therefore that as either the rod 17 or17 is rotated the Searchlight will be oscillated about pivot 22 and alsothat the Searchlight beam may be directed in any desired direction byoscillation about either or both axes of support. Each shaft is shown asprovided with a hand wheel 36, 37, 36" or 37 of a suitable form forturning the shaft. Shaftslfi and 17 are also shown as supported in anangle plate 18' similar to plate 18. The said shafts, especially shafts17 and 17' are severally .jou rnaled in the plates 18 and 18' so thatthe changes in direction of the shaft occasioned'by the movements of thesearchlight about pivots 4-4 will not cause binding of the shaft in theend plates. If desired, said shafts may be provided with universaljoints 39 at or near the said angle plates as shown in Fig. 3', or aball or swivelling bearing block 50 may be provided for the shaft inplate 18'. (Fig. 2). In each case, it should be noted that the longshaft-s are connected to the searchlight through reduction gearing sothat while a rapid turning of the beam may be effected, at the same timean accurate adjustment of the beam may also be accomplished.

The current is shown as led into thesearchlight through a flexible cable35 which will not interfere with the oscillation of the light. Inconnection with this light I preferably employ a ventilating systemsimilar to that disclosed in my copending application on anti-aircraftSearchlight, filed on even date herewith, Serial No. 229,485. Accordingto this system'the control box which supports the electrode holders 71is mounted out of alignment with the pivots.-

It should be noted that the two pairs of rods 16 and 17 and 16 and 17'are so arv ranged that'when the operator is facing the light he may ineach case rotate the righthand hand-wheel 37 or 37' in the proper direction for sending the beam toward him or away from him; while he turnsthe left hand-wheel 36 on 36' in the proper direction for turning thebeam clockwise or counter-clockwise. as it appears to him. It shouldalso be noted that the arrangement is such that handles 36 or 36' areeach rotated in the same direction that the beam is turned, whilerotation 01 handles 37 or 37 in 'the same direction relative to theoperator will turn the beam toward or away from the operator in eachinstance. For these purposes the shafts 16 and 17 are shown as crossedas they lead to the hole 12.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3and 4 the shaft 116 is shown aspassing under the Searchlight, being journaled in the brackets 5' and 6'near their base. .As before the rods 116 and 116' are connected to acentral shaft 40 through universal joints 41 and 42. Shaft 40 is gearedto oscillate the gimbal ring 3 through a pinion 44 on said shaft and agear sector 45 secured to the gimbal ring. Shafts 117 and 117' are eachconnected to a shaft 26' as before, through universal joints. 20. Inthis instance shaft 26 is provided with a wormv 32' which meshesdirectly with a worm segment 33' on the Searchlight. The brackets 5' and6' may or may not be provided with a reinforcing angle iron 50, ifdesired (see Fig. 6).

In Figs. 8 and 9 a third modification is shownwherein a single rod ismade use of to effect movements of the Searchlight about both axes.According to this modification a long rod- 51 is both slidably androtatably mounted in the brackets 5', 6 and 118. The said rod isprovided with an elongated pinion 52 which meshes with gear sector 45 torock the Searchlight about pivots 4-4, in other words, to rock thegimbal- 3 on its pivot.

For moving the searchlight about pivots 2'2 I make use of areciprocating or longitudinal movement of rod 51. For this purpose I mayprovide a swinging loop or bail 53 which is pivoted in ears 73 in amember 54 secured to the uprights 5 and 6'. Preferably the pivots 55 and56 of loop 53 are in line with the axis 2-2 of the Searchlight. Thebottom of the Searchlight is shown as provided with a pin 57 carryingaroller 58 which engages in a trackway 59 in the loop. By this or similarmeans the Searchlight is caused to follow all movements of the swingingloop about the axis of the bail but may be freely moved about the axis44 independently of the bail. For rocking the loop a link 60 is shownconnecting the lower portion of the loop with a collar 61 rotatably butnon-slidably mounted on the rod 51.

The rod 51 may be rotated by the handle 36 as before. Th rod may bemoved longitudinally either by pushing directly on the rod or by meansof gearing. For this purpose a handle 37 is shown mounted on a shaft 62journaled on bracket 118. On said shaft is mounted a worm 63which'engages a rack bar 64; which is loosely mounted on shaft 51 but isnon-slidably secured thereon by means of fixed collars 65. By this meansan accurate positioning of the searchlight may be secured. One of thebearings 119 of shaft 62 in block 118 may be 0 en at the top so thatworm 63 may be 1i ted out of engagement with rack 64 when not in use soas not to interfere with movement of shaft 51 from the other end.

The operation of my invention will be apparent from the foregoingdescription.

The Searchlight having been positioned as shown in the drawings, may bereadily operated by one man who may also act as the observer. Afterstarting the light the observer may pass through passageway 1415 to oneor the other of holes 12 or 18. He may then, by operating handles 36 and37 throw the beam in any desired direction. Thus, by turning the handle36 clockwise or counter-clockwise he may throw the beam to the right orleft as desired and by turning the handle 37 in one direction or theother he may throw the beam away from him or throw it toward him atwill. If the object assumes a position so that it is necessary to throwthe beam toward the operator he may then quickly pass through passage 14to the other'hole 13 and operate the Searchlight from that end. It willbe readily apparent therefore that no matter what position the objectassumes the operator may always be 1n an advantageous location toobserve 1t.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8. the operation is of' course similaras far as the movements of the operator are concerned; the rotationof-the handle 36 moving the Searchlight beam clockwise orcounter-clockwise, while rotation of the handle 37 moves the beambackwards and forwards.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have hereindescribed'the principle of operation of my invention, together with theapparatus, which I now consider to represent the best embodimentthereof,-but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown isonly illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by othermeans. Also, while it is designed to use the various features andelements in the combination and relations described, some of these maybe altered and others omitted without interfering with the more generalresults outlined, and the invention extends to such use.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1s:

1. The combination with a Searchlight mounted for oscillation about ahorizontal axis, of a rod extending outwardly from and secured to thesame for oscillating it about said axis and a second rod extending insubstantially the opposite direction for a similar purpose, whereby theoperator may keep on a side away from the beam.

2. The combination with a support, of a gimbal ring mounted thereon, aSearchlight journaled for oscillation with said ring, a shaft alsojournaled on said ring, a universal connection from said shaft to adistant control handle, and gearing connecting said shaft andsearchlight to oscillate the same within the ring on rotation of theshaft.

3. Ina military searchlight system, the combination with a Searchlight,a universal support therefor, distant control means for oscillating thelamp about a plurality of axes, said means being located on oppositesides of said Searchlight, whereby the operator may select a positiondepending upon the direction in which the beam is pointing.

1. In combination, a member mounted to turn about a horizontal axis, aSearchlight mounted within said member for turning about a horizontalaxis in substantially the same plane as the first mentioned axis, and atan angle thereto, and a plurality of sets of means for oscillating saidsearchlight about either of said axes, said sets being positioned ondifferent sides of the searchlight so that the operator may select anoperating position depending upon the direction in which the light beamis projected.

5. In combination, a support, a gimbal ring pivotally mounted thereon, asearchlight mounted for pivotal movement within said ring, meansincluding a plurality of rods extending in opposite directions forturning said ring from either of a plurality of distant points, and'means including a plurality of oppositely projecting rods ex- Isignature.

ELMER A. SPERRY.

